Extension-table lock.



W. KOESTER.

EXTENSION TABLE LOOK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY ze, 1901.

923,795. Patented June 1,1909.

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W. KOESTER. A l EXTENSION TABLE Lomi.` APPLIOATION FILED JULY 26, 1901.

Patented June 1, 1909.

' 8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED SA'IES TENT OFFIQE.

WILLIAM KOESTER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, l ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, OF ONE-THIRD TO OTTO R. BARNETT AND ONE-THIRD TO FREDERICK A. MEYEN- SCHEIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

EXTENSION-TABLE Loox.

T0 all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, l/VILLIAM KOESTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extension-Table Locks, of which the following' is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for locking together the halves of the pillar of pedestal extension tables.

As ordinarily constructed, extension tables are supported by a central leg, which is surrounded by a hollow pillar, the said pillar being divided vertically, each half being carried by more or less ornamental legs, the halves of said pillar sliding away from each other as the table is extended. It is the general experience that, in a table so constructed, whenl all additional leaves are removed and the table is closed to its smallest compass, the weight carried by the sections of the pil lar is such that the adjacent edges of said pillar do not meet so as to form an ornamental central support for the table, but there is a very considerable gap between the adjacent lower portions of the edges of the sections of the pillar.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device for locking the sections of the pillar securely together along the entire length of their adjacent edges, when the table is closed to its smallest com pass.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a device which shall automatically draw the adjacent edges of the pillar tightly together along their entire length and then lock them in such position.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a device which may be quickly and simply manipulated and which shall automatically lock. f

These and such other objects as may hereinafter' appear are attained by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a closed extension table embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section, on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the central leg of thetable and a portion of the adjacent edges of the halves of the pillar broken away to show my improved device. Fig. 3 is a transverse section 0n the line 3 8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led. July 26, 1901.

Patented June 1, 1909.

Serial No. 69,795.

similar to Fig. 2, showing the halves of the table drawn apart for the insertion of a leaf. Fig. 5 shows certain details of my invention in modified form. Figs. 6, 7,v 8 and 9 show details illustrating modifications g and Fig. 10 is a detail of a modification of my leveroperating device.

Like letters of reference indicate the same parts in the several gures of the drawings.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A indicates an extension table provided with the usual slides B, central legs C, and the pillar D-E supported by the legs al, e.

In its preferred embodiment, my device consists of a lever F pivotallyattached to a lug G, which is secured to the under surface of one half of the table, the outer end of the lever F carrying a yoke H. The ends of the arms of this yoke are preferably connected by a bolt I. Each arm of the yoke supports a depending locking ro d J, which reciprocates in a suitable recess within the edge of section E of the pillar D-E. The arms J may be slidingly secured within said recesses by pins y' passing through suitable slots within the arms J. Projecting outwardly from the arms J are the wedging and locking hooks K adapted to engage pins or plates L, which are secured transversely in recesses in the edges of section D of the pillar DME.

When my device is in unlocked position, as shown in Fig. 4, the rod J is at its lowest point, and, as the sections D, E of the pillar are brought together, the hooks Kwill freely enter the recesses Z within the edges of section D of the pillar, but below, and without engaging, the transverse pins L secured within said recesses. As the rod J is now lifted by the operation .of the lever F, the free ends of the hooks K pass freely behind the pins L and, as the upward movement of the rod J is continued, the inner surfaces of the hooks K, because of their wedge-shaped formation, are brought in engagement with the pins L, thereby drawing the sections D, E tightly together, at which point the device may be locked in any suitable manner. I prefer, however, to operate and lock the ever F by means of a camfpivotally secured to the outer end of said lever. This cam, as shown in the drawing, is so formed that its free end may be readily grasped by the hand and, as such free end is drawn backwardly and upwardly on its pivot and against the bearing-plate a, which is secured to the under surface of the table, the outer end of the lever F is depressed and the eccentric portion of the cam being carried. past center, as shown in Fig. 2, the entire device is automatically locked thereby. To unlock the device, it is only necessary to reverse the action of the cam. This unlocking may be assisted, if desired, by the use of a spring M, which operates to carry the lever to its unlocked position.

I prefer to use the cam device for operating and locking the lever, but it will be obvious that this mechanism could be varied somewhat Without departure from my invention; and while I have shown the hooks so arranged that they must be drawn upward to engage with and lock the pins, it is evident that the arrangement might be somewhat changed.

In Fig. 5, I show a modified means for attaching the locking rods J to the pedestal, such means consisting of plates M embedded in the edges of section E of the pillar across the face of the slots, Within which the rods J are inserted.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, I show a modified form of hook-engaging device, consisting of' plates N provided with enlarged portions n, which are embedded in, and screwed to, the face of the edges of section D of the pillar, the plates N being inserted in slots, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, said slots being of a width sullicient to receive the hooks K, as well as the plates N. Projecting from the plates il, and across the space for receiving the hooks K, arehook-engaging pins 0, so located that, when in locked position, the hooks K will tightly engage the pins O and, when in unlocked position, the hooks K will entirely clear the pins O.

In Fig. 9, I have shown another modified form of hook-engaging device, consisting of a plate P containing a longitudinal slot p. This plate may be embedded in the edges of section D, so as to engage the hooks K, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9.

In Fig. 10, I have shown a modified form of device for operating the lever H. In this form, the end of the lever H is provided with a toothed gear h, which engages a wormwheel Q, which is operated by a lever R to lift or to depress the lever Il.

I Wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact arrange` ments and devices herein shown, as obvious modifications will occur to persons skilled in the art.

I-Iaving thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with the top of an extension table, of a sectional hollow edestal, extension slides connected with said pedestal, a center leg arranged between the sections of said pedestal and arranged to sup port said extension slides, a pair of reciprocating rods mounted in slots in said pedestal and provided with integral locking means, means mounted within the body olc said pedestal opposite to said rods, for engaging the locking means on said rods, and means for simultaneously reciprocating` said rods, substantially as described.

2. In an extension table, the combination with a sectional pillar provided with al verti cal guide in an edge oi one section thereoli, a rod set edgewise and arranged to be vertically reciprocated within said guide, integral locking means upon one edge el said rod, means mounted upon the opposite edge olA the other half of said pillar lor engaging said locking means, and means for reciprocating said rod, substantially as described.

8. The combination with an extension table, of a sectional pillar having a vertical slot formed in one edge ol one section thereof, a rod set edgewise and arranged to be vertically reciprocated within said slot, an integral hook upon one edge of said rod, said hook being arranged to project from said slot, a slot formed within the oppositie edge of the other section oi said pillar and arranged to receive said hook, means arranged within said slot to engage and lock with said hook, and means for reciprocating said rod, substantially as described.

4. In an extension table, the combination with a hollow pillar' separable into two parts, oi co-engaging means arranged upon the meeting edges ofthe opposite sections of said pillar, of means for throwing said co-engaging means into and out ol engagement with each other, said means comprising a pair ol vertically reciprocating rods, a rocking lever engaging said rods and l'ulcrumed at a point between its point ol engagement with :aid rods and the edge of the table, and means arranged below thel table-top and adjacent to one edge of the table for actuating said lever to reciprocate said rods, and adapted, when in one operative position, to hold the coengaging means in locked engagement, lsubstantially as described.

The combination with an extension table of a sectional pillar, having slots formed within the edges olI one section thereof, reciprocating rods mounted within said slots, hooks actuated by said rods, plates countersunk in the edges of the other hall ol' said pillar, pins upon said plates arranged to engage said hooks, means for reciprocating said rods so as to lorcc said hooks into and out ol' engagement with said pins, and means adapted, `when in one operative position, to hold said hooks and pins in locking engagement, substantially as described.

6. The combination with an extension table, of a rod attached to one section thereof,

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f: lock the sections of said pillar together, means r means into and out of locked position, and

movement of the hook draws the sections of a wedging hook carried by said rod, means carried by another section of said table for engaging said hook, a lever secured to the table top for reciprocating said rod, and a lever-operating cam engaging the under side of the table pivoted to said lever, substantially as described.

7. The combination with an extension table of means for locking the sections thereof together and means for operating such locking device and for locking the same in position, said means comprising a lever, a Cam lever pivotally mounted thereon, and a bearing late mounted upon the under side of the tab e and arranged to engage the bearing face oi the said cam lever, substantially as described.

The combination with an extension table, vof a pair of reciprocating rods carried by one section of' the table, locking means carried by said rods, means, carried by the other section of the table, for engaging said locking means, a yoke and a single lever for simultaneously actuating both of' said rods, and a cam on the end of said lever operating against the under side of the table and adapted to lock the lever in position to hold said locking means in engagement, substantially as des'fribed.

9. In an extension table, the combination with a sectional pillar having outwardly opening slots within the opposing' edges of the sections thereof, of co-engaging means mounted within said. slots and arranged to disposed across the open faces of said slots for confining said co-engaging means to they slots within which they are respectively' mounted, means for moving said locking movable means ada ted, when in one operative position, to ho d said locking means in locked position, substantially as described.

10. In an extension table, the combination. with a sectional pillar, of hook-engaging means mounted upon an edge of one section of' said pillar, a guide upon the opposite edge of another section of said pillar, a rod reciprocally mounted within said guide, an integral hook upon said rod, and means for moving said hook into and out of engagement with said hook-engaging means, said hook and hook-engaging means having cooperating cam surfaces whereby the vertical the sectional pillar together, substantially as described.

ll. The combination with an extension table, having a hollow pedestal separable into two sections of a pair of reciprocating rods carried by one section of the table pedestal, locking means located in the edges of said section, and rigidly carried by said rods, l means, carried upon the edges of the other section of the table pedestal, forengagingsaid l locking means, a yoke connected with the reciprocating rods and a single lever connected with the yoke for simultaneously actuating both of said rods, substantially as described.

12. A pedestal extension table comprising in combination top sections, extension slides connecting the same, and a center leg depending from said slides, of a pair of hollow pedestal sections each connected to and sup porting one ofthe top sections, adapted when closed together to form a hollow pedestal in closing said center leg, locking means lo cated within the inner edges of one pedestal section, corresponding locking means located within the inner edges of' the other pedestal section and adapted to protrude from the same and engage said first-mentioned locking means on both sides of the center leg when the sections are brought together, a pair of reciprocating rods forming a part of said last-mentioned locking means, a yoke carried by one of the top sections, the ends of the yoke connected to said rods, and the said yoke connected to a single lever, whereby the locking means on both sides of the center leg may be operated simultaneously.

i3. In an extension table, the combination with the two separable parts of a table top, of a pedestal therefor' vertically divided into two separable parts, one rigidly secured to each section of the table top, a locking device for locking the two parts of the edestal together comprising a pair of vertical y reciprocating rods upon one of said sections, hooks upon each of said rods extending toward the opposite section of the pillar, means arranged within the edges of the opposite pillar section adapted to be engaged by said hooks, said means and said hooks having cam action whereby vertical movement of the hooks draws the separable parts ofthe pedestal together, and means for moving said rods vertically, said means extending from the ro`ds under the table top toward the margin ofthe latter.

14. In an extension table, the combination with a table top divided into two separable sections, of a hollow pedestal vertically divided into two separable sections, each rigidly secured to one of the sections of the table top, each of said pedestal sections having two edges adapted to meet two corresponding edges of the opposite pedestal sec tion when the table is closed together, one of said pedestal sections being provided with a vertically extending and vertically reciprocating member upon each of its meeting edges, said members carrying each a plurality of drawing-hooks, means within the corresponding meeting edges of the other pedestal section adapted to be engaged by the drawing-hooks, said means and said draw-hooks having cam action whereby vertical movement of the hooks draws the separable parts of the pedestal together and means below the table top extending to a point adjacent the outer edge thereof for simultaneously moving all of the drawinghooks into orout of engagement to lock or unlock the parts of the table.

l5. ln an extension table, the combination with a table top divided into two separable sections, of a hollow pedestal vertically divided into two separable sections, each rigidly secured to one of the sections of the table top, each of said pedestal sections having two edges adapted to meet two correspending edges of' the opposite pedestal section when the table is closed together, one of said pedestal sections having upon each of its meeting edges a vertically movable member, hooks carried thereby, suitable means upon the corresponding meeting edges of the other section adapted to be engaged bj," the hooks, said means and said hooks having cam action whereby vertical movement of the hooks draws the separable parts of the pedestal together means below the table top extending to a point adjacent the outer edge thereof for moving said hooks into operative position, and means below the table top and adjacent the outer edge ofthe latter for locking said last named means in operative position.

16. In an extension table, the combination with a table top divided into two separable sections, of a hollow pedestal vertically divided into two separable sections, each rigidly secured to one of the sections ol: the table top, each of said sections having two edges adapted to meet two corresponding edges of the opposite pedestal section when the table is closed together, one of said pedestal sections being provided upon each of its meeting edges with movable locking means,

suitable coperating locking means 'fixed upon the corresponding meeting edges of the other pedestal sections, said sets ol locking means having cam action wherelrv the vertical movement ol one set of locking means with a divided table top and a verticali)r diy vided hollow pedestal therefor having one ol its sections secured to each oi the sections ol the table top, ol a locking device for connecting thc two parts of the pedestal together, said locking device comprising in combination a pair ol" vertically movable rods, one of' said rods being arranged in each of tbe meeting edges of the section, each ot said rods carrying locking means, means upon the cor responding meeting edges of the other section adapted to be engaged bv said locking means, and means extending from said rods toward the edge of the table top below said table top whereby said rods ma v be moved longitudinally to throw said locking means into holding engagement with said engaging means, said locking means and said engaging means having cam action whereby the vertical movement of the locking means operates to draw the separable sections of the pedestal together.

lfll il ilAM Ylx'lSllC l i. Witnesses:

M. E. SniELDs, F. H. DRURY. 

